HIGH-FLYING Nantwich Air Cadets are celebrating their 30th anniversary year in soaring style.

Formed in 1978, the 100 (Nantwich) Squadron of the Air Training Corps, which is based in Davenport Avenue, has notched a series of special milestones.

An anniversary service has been held at St Mary’s Church, led by the Rev Peter Chantry, who has a close relationship with the squadron. It was a chance for the 50 cadets, aged from 13 to 20, to re-affirm their promise to the Air Training Corps.

Such is the reputation of the cadets, that Squadron Commanding Officer Darren Taylor and his wife, Squadron Flying Officer Sarah Taylor, were invited to a recent Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Queen and Prince Charles.

Darren said: “The experience was very surreal and the guests there were from all walks of life. Everyone was dressed immaculately with the majority of men wearing top hats and tails.”

Last year the squadron won the Sir Alan Lees Trophy Award after being named as one of the top six in the whole country.

It was recently awarded a £10,000 National Lottery grant which was used to buy musical instruments for the band.

Darren added: “The cadets love the new instruments and are now looking forward to preparing for marches.”

To celebrate it success cadets have now joined forces with RAF 100 Squadron to offer lucky youngsters the chance to ride in a fast jet.

This experience of a lifetime has already been enjoyed by Darren’s cadet son, Tom Taylor, 15, and more of the cadets will get the chance to fly in a Hawk plane at RAF Leeming.

“Our cadets are very excited. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to fly in a jet and I’m very pleased to be able to offer it to them,” said Darren.

For more information about the Nantwich 100 Squadron, email oc.100@aircadets.org.